Flexible tungsten disulfide superstructure engineering for efficient alkaline hydrogen evolution in anion exchange membrane water electrolysers

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50117-2
• Publication Date: 2024-07-08T04:01:59Z
• Authors: Lingbin Xie; Longlu Wang; Xia Liu; Jianmei Chen; Xixing Wen; Weiwei Zhao; Shujuan Liu; Qiang Zhao
• Keywords: Superstructure; Tungsten disulfide; Alkaline water electrolysis

Abstract Anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolysis employing non-precious metal electrocatalysts is a promising strategy for achieving sustainable hydrogen production. However, it still suffers from many challenges, including sluggish alkaline evolution reaction (HER) kinetics, insufficient activity and limited lifetime of ampere-level-current-density HER. Here, we report an efficient HER at industrial-level current density wherein flexible WS 2 superstructure designed to serve as the cathode catalyst AEM electrolysis. The features bond-free van der Waals interaction among low Young’s modulus nanosheets ensure excellent mechanical flexibility, well stepped edge defect structure realize high catalytic favorable interface micro-environment. unique can effectively withstand impact high-density gas-liquid exchanges facilitate mass transfer, endowing long-term durability under industrial-scale density. An electrolyser containing this exhibits cell voltage 1.70 V deliver constant 1 A cm −2 over 1000 h with negligible decay rate 9.67 μV −1 .